Quilters showcase their talents at Shoreham exhibition

SUSSEX Quilters exhibited their stitchwork at an event in aid of Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance Service.

Around 250 visitors flocked to the newly refurbished Shoreham Community Centre to browse 80 pieces of quiltwork.

Visitors enjoy one of the 80 quilts on display in the Shoreham Community Centre DM15221462a

In total, £500 was raised for the air ambulance service, who also had a stall at the exhibit.

Sue Davies, Sussex Quilters committee member, said: “It went very well indeed. I think there were something like 250 paying customers.

“It was a wonderful day and a fantastic atmosphere. People seemed genuinely interested in how the pieces were put together and how they were stitched.”

There was a personal element to the quilters’ chosen charity. Her husband Richard was reliant on their services after he was involved in a serious incident opposite Brooklands in Worthing last September.

Richard, 75, collided with a 36-year-old cyclist and sustained life-threatening injuries. He was airlifted to St George’s Hospital, in Tooting, and has subsequently made a full recovery.

The importance of the air ambulance is not lost on Sue.

She said: “His injuries and outlook were so serious that the air ambulance was called and following some intensive on the scene care he was airlifted to St. George’s Hospital.

“I am delighted to say that following some ups and downs he has now made a complete recovery, all thanks to the extraordinary care and dedication given by the local ambulance service, the police and of course the Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance Service.

“From when we decided to support the air ambulance I knew nothing about them at all. Literally ten days later, I was quite involved. Without them, and the other services as well, Richard wouldn’t be here.

“The air ambulance has a high profile in Shoreham at the moment. They bought a stand (at the exhibit) as well and they said people were very responsive to them.”

The exhibition was three years in the making and included a group quilt made up of 12-inch blocks. Each block was created by an individual member and had to be black and white, with a flash of colour. The quilt was then raffled off for charity.

Margaret Holden, Sussex Quilters chairman, said: “It was a lot of hard work. A lot of people pulled together to make a superb event.

“We are a lot of elderly ladies and it’s a question of wanting to show what we do.”

Sussex Quilters meet on the first Wednesday of the month at Southwick Community Centre. For more information, contact Anne Moncrieff 01273 328215 or Angela Avis 01273 595369.